News – Page 462 – Guyana Times International

Political parties trade blame over crime situation

February 28, 2014 TIMES INT'L

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and their long-time foe, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Tuesday traded blame on a series of past and current crimes. PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee started the blame game when early in the day he called out leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) David Granger on statements he made regarding consultations on the 2014 budget. Rohee was at the time reading a statement at the party’s weekly press conference on Tuesday, during which he spoke about Granger’s meeting with…

Digicel cops Mash best band prize

February 28, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Digicel Guyana Inc for the seventh consecutive year has been declared the best float in the large category during Guyana’s 44th Republic Anniversary National Costume and Float Parade on Sunday, by the Mash Secretariat. The results were released on Tuesday by the Mash Committee and from all indications; they were definitely not a surprise especially to those who lined the streets of Georgetown to witness the parade, since it was evident that Digicel Guyana Inc had the largest, most uniformed, and well-decked out costume band. On the day of the…

TT mulls border lockdown

February 28, 2014 TIMES INT'L

– amidst Venezuela’s unrest Trinidad and Tobago’s National Security Minister Gary Griffith has held talks with defence heads about TT’s borders as a result of the current unrest in Venezuela, which might cause people there to flee their homeland. Protests have been occurring in Venezuela since February 12. About ten people have been killed to date. Protests have continued into this week. Government and opposition supporters blame each other for the situation. Opposition groups have accused the state of media manipulation and the government has accused international media of fuelling…

Guyana, Malaysia to further collaborate on forestry sector

February 28, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Guyana and Malaysia are to collaborate and share experiences on the development of their forestry sectors, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. A delegation from Guyana, led by Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud recently participated in a bilateral meeting in that country. Accompanying Persaud were the ministry’s forestry specialist Gavin Agard, and Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Deputy Commissioner Tasreef Khan. The forestry sectors in both countries’ economies play an important role in national development. To ensure that growth follows the correct trajectory, the Guyanese delegation participated in…

Soloman says shortage of medical drugs affecting Region 10

February 28, 2014 TIMES INT'L

The shortage of medical drugs at healthcare institutions and poor infrastructure works by some contractors are two major issues affecting Region 10, Chairman Sharma Solomon said. He said the health concern was discussed at the region’s last statutory meeting, noting that the absence of a proper ambulance in Linden continues to be a problem for residents. “The ambulances which were requested and are to be supplied by Beharry (company) are going to be weeks delayed. This is based on shipping problems. The region is very concerned and disappointed by that.…

Too early to calculate risks of Venezuelan protests – Hinds

February 28, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said it might be a little too early for him to comment on what effects the current unrest in Venezuela will eventually have on the many agreements that country has with Guyana. Guyana and Venezuela are currently engaged in a few partnerships which seek to strengthen their economic and social sectors. The PetroCaribe agreement allows Guyana to pay 40 per cent of its bill within the first 90 days and repay the rest at one per cent interest over a period of 25 years. In 2005,…

Caribbean officials being trained to resolve elections conflicts

February 28, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Senior officials from a selected number of election management bodies in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean are meeting in Durban, South Africa in a one-week training to explore ways of preventing, managing and resolving election-related disputes. The training programme, organised by the Commonwealth is being conducted jointly with the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), a South Africa-based civil society organisation working to bring creative solutions to the challenges posed by conflict. “We must invest in the peaceful settlement of disputes, as the alternative has proven too…

Private sector holds talks with commissioner of information

February 28, 2014 TIMES INT'L

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Tuesday held talks with Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson to seek clarity on the work of the body which will facilitate Guyana’s Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation. According to a statement by Ramson’s office, he was able to establish that the Access to Information Act 2011 created a statutory partnership with the various organs of the State and its agencies, conferring upon members of the public, including non-governmental agencies, such as the PSC, the right of access to information generated after July 2, 2013…

Caricom lauds Canada as exemplary global development leader

February 28, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque last Wednesday commended Canada for its role as an exemplary global leader in development assistance. Ambassador LaRocque was speaking during an accreditation ceremony where the newly-appointed Canadian Ambassador to Caricom, Dr Nicole Giles presented her credentials to him at the Caricom Secretariat, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Ambassador LaRocque said Canada’s excellent example was evidenced in its ranking of eighth out of 67 donor countries and donor organisations on the 2013 Aid Transparency Index. “This is an indication of the support provided not only bilaterally but also…

Commissioners probing Rodney’s death call for witnesses to come forward

February 28, 2014 TIMES INT'L

A three-member Commission was on Tuesday sworn in at the Office of the President to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the late co-founder of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Walter Rodney, who was killed when a bomb exploded in the car in which he was sitting 33 years ago. Barbadian Queen’s Counsel Richard Cheltenham has been appointed Chairman of the Commission by President Donald Ramotar. He will serve alongside Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels- Brown, and Guyanese-Trinidadian Senior Counsel Seenauth Jairam. They took their oath before the…